What do drinking water and losing weight have in common? Is it possible to lose weight just by drinking water? Drinking water helps to eliminate toxins from the body. It also reduces bloating and makes you look and feel like you have lost weight. Ironically, the more water you drink, the less fluid is retained in your body and the more weight you lose.
However, drinking water alone will not help you lose weight in the long term. Water does not contain the minerals and nutrients your body needs to grow and survive on its own, so aim to drink at least two litres of water a day, more if you are exercising regularly.
If you drink water first thing in the morning, try adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Not only will it make the water taste better, but it will also help your digestive system to work more efficiently.
If you are serious about losing weight, you need to change your diet. Try to eat your food as close to its natural state as possible. For example, eat apples instead of juicing them. Eat more vegetables, nuts and seeds. Aim to vary the colours and types of vegetables you consume. You need to eat at least five different vegetables a day, but eating only broccoli and carrots will not help.
Why not try removing wheat from your diet to see if it helps? Wheat can cause bloating and water retention, which is not ideal if you are trying to lose weight. If you do cut out wheat, you will need to increase the amount of wholegrains you eat to provide nutrients such as B vitamins and fibre.
Beans and sprouted beans should also be included in your diet. Sprouted beans in particular are a great source of enzymes and minerals, and contain low-fat protein. Although not ideal for those working in an open plan office, there have been reports of increased embarrassing gas, so introduce these foods gradually.
Drinking water and losing weight can go hand in hand with adding exercise. Always drink more water when you exercise to avoid dehydration. If you wait until you are thirsty, you have already started to dehydrate.
Cut out salt and season your food with fresh herbs and spices. Not only will this aid digestion, it will also make a difference to your diet. In order to lose weight, you need to consume good fats. Cold-pressed oils not only make salads more interesting, they are also a good source of omega-3 oils (pumpkin, flaxseed) and omega-6 oils (sesame, sunflower). These oils are sensitive to sunlight and should be stored in a dark place and not used in frying.
Drinking water and weight loss go hand in hand and can be even more effective if you add other tips.